It was Portland's seventh win in its last eight games, its eighth consecutive at home and marked the debut of black uniforms with a plaid streak meant to evoke the city.

But there's a good chance few will remember Wednesday for any of that.

This was all about McCollum, a Lehigh University product who joined Klay Thompson as the only players in NBA history to score 50 or more in fewer than 30 minutes. In what was otherwise a sleepy January mismatch, McCollum produced multiple standing ovations, some as early as the first quarter, the noise building before he'd even crossed halfcourt.

At that point, McCollum had set the franchise record with 28 first-quarter points, including 19 of Portland's final 23 points.

"What he did in the first quarter was amazing," coach Terry Stotts said.

A dunk gave him 32 at halftime, after he corralled a behind-the-back pass from Shabazz Napier that saved a ball headed for out-of-bounds and created a one-man fast break. His 50th point was on a free throw to end the third quarter.

The Bulls (18-33) were without their three top scorers. Both Kris Dunn (concussion protocol) and Lauri Markkanen (personal reason) did not make the trip to the West Coast, and Nikola Mirotic stayed at the team's downtown hotel amid trade rumors.

Perhaps a few other Bulls considered leaving for the hotel after a disastrous start, too: Chicago began the game with 1-of-11 shooting.

McCollum's 28 first-quarter points broke the previous franchise record held by Damian Lillard, and his 11 field goals in the quarter also broke a franchise record. His 32 points at halftime were one off of Lillard's record for a half.

After scoring 10 straight points in the third quarter, even McCollum's heat-check miss led to a bucket. On a drive to the right, his awkward shot-put from outside the key landed in Ed Davis' hands for a layup and 100-73 lead late in the third quarter.

With nine minutes to play, fans began chants of "We want CJ," but he didn't appear again.

"50 is a good number," Stotts said. "...The last thing we need is something to happen to him in a 25-point game."

He becomes the sixth player in the NBA this season to score 50 or more, and the seventh in franchise history.

IT WAS OVER WHEN

Portland opened the game on a 23-2 run. It would lead by as many as 27 in the quarter and finished it ahead 43-19 on 73.9 percent shooting.

OFFENSE BACKS UP STOTTS

McCollum's performance backed up Stotts' pregame belief that Portland's offense is currently playing its best basketball.

"No question," Stotts said before the win. "I think we've had a really good month offensively and that's been a positive, especially with the way we struggled the first two and a half months."

The Blazers shot 56.1 percent from the field and 46.9 percent from three Wednesday while holding the Bulls to 41.4 percent shooting. Portland also outrebounded the Bulls by 12.

BALDWIN JOINS BLAZERS; SWANIGAN'S NEXT

G-League call-up Wade Baldwin will be with the Trail Blazers the rest of the season, Stotts said -- he was not in uniform Wednesday -- and rookie Caleb Swanigan will rejoin the team next week for its game against Detroit.

Swanigan, a first-round pick in June out of Purdue, averaged 2.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 15 games with Portland before being assigned to the Canton Charge on Dec. 24. There, he averaged 13.9 points and 12.2 rebounds in 30 minutes per game.

"He had a good run," Stotts said, "but it's just time for him to rejoin the team."

Swanigan's role upon his return?

"Come in practice hard, play hard, be ready when his number is called," Stotts said.

SARTORIALLY SUBTLE

Wednesday was the debut of Portland's "city" uniform, featuring a black plaid print.

"I wish it was a little more noticeable because it is unique having the plaid," said Stotts, who matched the look with a plaid bow tie and blazer pin honoring Jack Ramsay. "It's a subtle plaid. Of the four jerseys, it's my favorite."

NEXT UP

The Blazers begin a three-game road trip Friday at Toronto before visits to Boston and new-look Detroit, which recently traded for Clippers forward Blake Griffin.